RELIEF: Ben Bernanke last year faced scorn for being slow to recognize the gravity of the situation, but now experts are lauding him for bringing all the Fed's powers to bear
The US Federal Reserve is expected to aggressively lower interest rates in its intensified battle against the US credit crisis and spreading economic weakness. The question is whether all of the effort will turn the tide.

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CONCERN: Despite food shortages and an 8.7% rise in prices last month, the Chinese premier voiced confidence that inflation could be held in check
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (溫家寶) warned yesterday that already-high inflation may accelerate as the country prepares to host the Beijing Olympics. But he promised an anxious public that price increases could be held at the official 4.8 percent target this year.

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Google Inc's position as the most popular Internet search site and sales from fast-growing Asian markets such as China will help the company weather any US recession, chief executive officer Eric Schmidt said.

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The government's choice for the next Bank of Japan (BOJ) governor said yesterday he would strive to protect the central bank's independence if the opposition dropped its resistance to his nomination, but the opposition was unmoved.

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